Macau GP | Celebrity race aims to capture worldwide attention

WTCC race in Macau

During yesterday’s policy address presentation, Alexis Tam was questioned by lawmaker Vong In Fai about which race will replace the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). The WTCC event in Macau was dropped from the local race calendar. The secretary revealed that, at his request, a “celebrity race” will be added to the Macau Grand Prix program. “Actors and celebrities will take part in a race that will capture worldwide attention,” he said.
Regarding the International Automobile Federation’s (FIA) decision to drop Macau from the WTCC calendar, Alexis Tam gave a different version of the events. “There are fewer teams [in WTCC], and the championship is not as attractive as it used to be. The [WTCC] organization couldn’t meet the demands of the Macau Grand Prix,” he revealed.
Alexis Tam further said that the Grand Prix Committee coordinator, Costa Antunes, had assured him that this year’s edition will surpass 2014’s. A press conference to announce more details about the program will be conducted soon.
In December, it was announced that the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) would not be returning to Macau in 2015. The decision was made by the FIA World Motorsport Council, who met in Doha, Qatar.
The hosting duties of the final race of the championship were awarded to Qatar (to take place at night, like the Singapore F1 GP) instead of Macau, where the world title was decided so many times.
Some days after the council’s meeting, WTCC’s general manager François Ribeiro, explained the decision to drop Macau: “As much as the Macau Grand Prix has helped the WTCC to get a first taste of racing in Asia, we now have a solid broadcast base in the region and a presence in China, Japan and now Thailand,” he said. “We [the WTCC] take this opportunity to thank the Macau Grand Prix organizers for having hosted us since 2005. The WTCC has matured over its 10 years of existence, and we have therefore decided to look for new alternatives in a new region that can open up new markets, better TV schedules and be closer to our home base, allowing the material to be returned to Europe quicker.”
Mr Costa Antunes said at the time that FIA’s decision was “normal,” and that the GP Committee would look for another race to replace the WTCC. That substituting race is still unannounced.